Bellevue Bus Accident Attorneys

Were You Hurt in a Bus Accident?

Due to their size and weight, buses can cause serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists in a crash. With such severe injuries involved, the legal processes needed to pursue compensation afterward can be complicated and hotly contested, so hiring an injury lawyer is always recommended.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Bellevue, Carpenter & Zuckerman is here to guide and represent you in your fight for fair compensation. Our legal team has secured more than $2 billion through settlements and verdicts for our clients throughout the years. Trust a case as important as yours to a team with our experience and insight.

Talk to a Bellevue bus accident lawyer by calling (425) 585-4009 and requesting a free, no-obligation consultation with Carpenter & Zuckerman.

Filing an Injury Claim Against a Bus Company

When an accident involves a bus company, determining liability is the first step in the legal process, but it might not be the easiest. Unlike typical vehicle collisions, bus accident cases may involve multiple parties, including the bus driver, the company, or even a maintenance provider, who all did something negligent that contributed to the crash.

Filing a bus accident claim usually involves:

Identifying signs of negligence, such as driver inattention, fatigue, lack of training, or possibly bus maintenance failures.
Collecting compelling evidence, including accident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
Preparing a claim and filing it with the right court before any statutes of limitations expire.

Bus companies often have access to extensive legal resources, making these claims more challenging to handle than many expect. Having an experienced legal professional on your side allows you to know that your case is being prepared, filed, and pursued correctly without worrying about the small details yourself.

Complications When Bringing a Case Against King County Metro

In Bellevue, the city buses are managed primarily by King County Metro. If a city bus is involved in an accident, filing against King County Metro can create a unique set of complications due to the involvement of a public transit authority.

Filing a claim against a government entity like King County Metro involves additional challenges, including:

Shortened Deadlines: Claims against public entities often have stricter filing deadlines than standard personal injury cases.
Proving Negligence: To succeed in a case, you must demonstrate that the transit authority was negligent, whether through inadequate safety measures, failure to properly train drivers, or poor vehicle maintenance. King County Metro will have greater resources to defend itself than the average defendant.

Why Hiring a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

Bus accident cases often involve significant legal, logistical, and technical challenges. A skilled Bellevue bus accident attorney from Carpenter & Zuckerman can help you with every part, so none of these challenges become too great.

Let us show our unwavering support by:

Investigating all potential causes of the accident, such as driver error, faulty equipment, or road conditions.
Identifying all responsible parties, including bus drivers, companies, and third-party contractors.
Navigating the specific legal requirements for filing claims against public entities like King County Metro.
Attempting to negotiate with insurance companies and pursuing litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Litigating on your behalf if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Different Buses in Bellevue

Bellevue has a variety of bus transportation options that serve different purposes, including city commuting, school transportation, and private chartering. Carpenter & Zuckerman has the resources and experience to handle bus accident claims involving any of them.

We can work on bus accident cases involving:

City buses
School buses
Private or charter buses
Party buses

High-Risk Intersections & Streets for Bus Collisions

The heavy traffic and unique road layouts in certain parts of Bellevue can make some areas more prone to bus accidents, especially those involving King County Metro buses.

Higher-risk locations for bus accidents in Bellevue can include:

Downtown Bellevue Intersections: Traffic congestion near major business hubs creates many opportunities for collisions, especially during peak commuting hours.
Roads Near Bellevue Transit Center: The Transit Center, a central hub for King County Metro buses, is surrounded by high pedestrian activity and frequent bus movements, increasing accident risks.
Areas With Sharp Turns or Limited Visibility: Streets with challenging layouts, such as those near Bellevue’s hills and residential areas, can be difficult to navigate for large vehicles like buses.

Whether your bus accident happened near the 405, close to the shores of Lake Washington, or the beautiful suburbs of Cougar Hills, Carpenter & Zuckerman will be ready to help and represent you.

$131 Million Dram Shop Liability

Our client was injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was over-served at a restaurant/bar.

$29.3 Million Daño Cerebral
$131 Million Dram Shop Liability
$14.6 Million Commercial Vehicle

How Are Settlements Calculated by a Car Accident Lawyer in Seattle?

Car accident settlements are calculated based on several factors including the severity of injuries, medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress suffered by the victim. Washington's comparative fault law can adjust settlements depending on each party’s degree of fault. Non-economic damages also contribute to settlements but are more subjective. Engaging a knowledgeable auto accident attorney in Seattle to guide you through this calculation process ensures no element of your claim is overlooked, maximizing your compensation potential.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

Immediately after a car accident, your first priority should be ensuring the safety of everyone involved. If there are no severe injuries, move vehicles out of traffic if possible. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. While waiting for emergency services, document the accident scene by taking photos and notes and gathering contact details from witnesses. Avoid admitting fault or making statements to the other driver. Contact your insurance company to report the accident but refrain from giving recorded statements without legal guidance from your attorney.
Are there any caps on the compensation I can receive in a birth injury case?

There are not.
How long do I have to file a birth injury lawsuit?

You have either three years from when the injury was sustained or one year from when you discovered that the injury could be attributed to medical negligence.
How long do HIE cases take to resolve fully?

The answer to this depends on a variety of factors. Typically, these cases can take anywhere from a couple of months to several years.
How much does a birth injury attorney cost?

We work on a contingency basis, meaning that we collect a percentage of the compensation that you are awarded. If we cannot recover damages, we will not charge you for our services.
How can I ensure I get the best care following a catastrophic injury?

We can arrange for you to see a highly qualified specialist.
How much can I expect to recover in my case?

We cannot give you a figure until we know more about your case. Catastrophic injuries often require long-term care. Further, they usually involve several forms of non-economic damages, which are difficult to forecast.
How long do I file to file my lawsuit?

The statute of limitations on personal injury cases is either three years or one year after discovering that malpractice led to your injury, whichever is later.
How often does misdiagnosis happen?

An estimated 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed every year.
Can I sue for property damage?

Yes.
How long do motorcycle accident cases take to resolve?

The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as whether we need to file a lawsuit, the extent of your injuries, whether or not we need to call in experts, and more.
What damages can I recover in my case?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to recover compensation. There are two main types of damages that can be recovered: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are tangible, quantifiable losses that result from the accident. They are intended to compensate you for actual financial expenses and losses. Common economic damages in a truck accident case may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages are less tangible and are meant to compensate you for the pain, suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium resulting from the truck accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Seattle?

In Seattle, as per Washington state law, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is generally three years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims. Property damage claims also share this three-year limit. It's crucial to adhere to these time frames to preserve your right to seek legal remedy. Consulting with our attorneys soon after an accident helps ensure your documentation is timely and that all legal deadlines are met, preserving your case's integrity.
Can I pursue punitive damages in my trucking accident case?

No, Washington does not allow plaintiffs to seek punitive damages
Is there a limit to the economic and non-economic damages I can collect?

In the past, there have been caps on non-economic damages; however, caps on damages have since been ruled unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court. The stipulation regarding caps on non-economic damages still exists in the Revised Code of Washington; however, it is no longer relevant.
Will Uber or Lyft use an insurance policy to cover my losses?

Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place that can cover losses after a rideshare accident. In some situations, up to $1,000,000 in coverage could be available to pay for the damages of a rideshare accident. However, you aren’t guaranteed anything from these policies, and rideshare companies often try to minimize what coverage is provided after a crash.
What is the statute of limitations on assault?

Cases of assault have varying statutes of limitations. The standard statute of limitations for assault is three years. In cases of sexual assault and rape, the statute of limitations is more complicated and varies from case to case. In some cases, there is no statute of limitations.
How much does an Erb's palsy attorney cost?

We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation. We will collect a percentage of the compensation awarded to you.
What is the statute of limitations on cases like these?

You have either three years from the date of the injury or one year from when the injury was attributed to negligence to file a claim or lawsuit.

Contact Carpenter & Zuckerman Today for Legal Counsel

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Bellevue, please remember that we are always here to help. We take pride in helping locals overcome legal challenges that once seemed overwhelming, especially in cases against powerful defendants like government entities in charge of public transportation. Our team is committed to securing the compensation you deserve while you concentrate on healing, so let us get started on your case as soon as possible.

Dial (425) 585-4009 to speak with a Bellevue bus accident attorney during a free consultation.

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